Solar panels in Maryland: cost & savings
Maryland averages 4.2 peak sun hours/day and $0.17/kWh electricity. Here's what solar looks like for a typical home.
Typical Maryland home estimate
| Average electricity rate | $0.17/kWh |
| Peak sun hours (daily avg) | 4.2 |
| Recommended system size | 8.8 kW (~22 panels) |
| System cost (before incentives) | $26,419 |
| Cost after 30% federal tax credit | $18,493 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.1 years |
| 25-year net savings | $44,099 |
Incentives: $1,000 residential grant + SREC market; tax exemptions. The 30% federal tax credit applies in every state. Retail-rate net metering is broadly available.
How Maryland compares to the rest of the US
Two numbers drive solar economics: your electricity rate and how much sun your roof gets. Here's where Maryland stands against the national average.
| Electricity rate | $0.17/kWh (2% higher than the $0.17 US avg) |
| Daily peak sun hours | 4.2 (6% less than the 4.5 US avg) |
| Net metering | Broadly available |
Maryland has above-average electricity prices but below-average sun. The high rates are exactly what make solar pay off here — every kWh you generate offsets expensive grid power, even if your panels produce a little less than they would in a sunnier state.
Calculate your own Maryland savings
Adjust the numbers to match your actual electric bill:
Estimate your solar savings
Two quick inputs. We use your state's real electricity rate and sun hours.
Is solar worth it in Maryland?
With Maryland's electricity at $0.17/kWh and 4.2 daily sun hours, a typical solar system pays for itself in about 9.1 years and produces an estimated $44,099 in net savings over its 25-year life, after applying the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit. The higher your bill and the more sun your roof gets, the faster the payback.
These figures are estimates. Get free quotes from local Maryland installers to see real pricing for your roof.
Maryland solar FAQ
How many solar panels do I need in Maryland?
A typical Maryland home needs roughly 22 standard 400-watt panels (about a 8.8 kW system) to offset its electricity use, given Maryland's 4.2 daily peak sun hours. A higher bill or shadier roof pushes that number up.
Does Maryland have net metering?
Yes — Maryland broadly offers net metering, so the excess power your panels send to the grid credits your bill and improves your payback. $1,000 residential grant + SREC market; tax exemptions. The 30% federal tax credit applies in every state.
What's the payback period for solar in Maryland?
For a typical $153/month bill, the estimated payback is about 9.1 years, after which the power your panels produce is essentially free for the remaining ~16 years of the system's life.